What do South Park, Zelig and Berserk have in common? Although for many it may seem an unusual combination, those of my generation will surely remember the programming of the second evening of Italia 1 in the early 2000s, which proposed in sequence the cabaret program (very different from the one that went on in prime time), the very first version of the irreverent series by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, but above all the first animated adaptation of the manga of Kentaro Miura. A triptych that “forced” many of my age to stay up late in front of the television in an age where the internet was running at 56K and was only allowed for an hour or two a day. Berserk bewitched me. From the very first episode I decided to record it on VHS and somewhere I still have to keep those bulky but fascinating black bricks containing 25 episodes of pure magic.
The first animated series of Berserkwhich aired from 1997 to 1998 in Japan and arrived in Italy for the first time in 2001, it rode the success of the manga, but at the same time it raised its popularity even more. Furthermore, Berserk was also the very first anime to air on the networks Mediaset at night and with the original abbreviations, recommended for an adult audience only. For all those who fondly remember those years and have appreciated this first anime taken from the work of the late Miura, Yamato Video And Eagle Pictures have packaged a new home video edition, for the first time in Blu-ray and with a series of extras that we will describe below.
- Original title: Berserk
- English title: ベ ル セ ル ク
- Exit: September 7
- Format: Blu-ray
- Publisher: Yamato Video
- Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
- Number of episodes: 25
- Duration: 24 minutes
- Animation studio: OLM
- Adapted from: manga by Kentaro Miura
- Tongue: Italian, English or Japanese (dubbing), Italian (subtitles)
We reviewed Berserk – The TV Series via the streaming box set offered free of charge by Eagle Pictures.
Present in Italy since the second half of the 90s and become popular thanks to the television broadcast of the anime we are going to talk about, Berserk is universally recognized as one of the most influential works of the world comics scene. His author, Kentaro Miura, passed away prematurely just last year, leaving his work unfinished, despite his assistants of the Studio Gaga and his dear friend Koji Mori have decided to bring it to a conclusion following the directives and the material bequeathed by the author. Many have known Berserk thanks to the series that aired on the television networks of the time, a time when following anime in simulcast or even just thinking about a mass diffusion of “fansubs” was an almost impossible dream. Word of mouth on the web and in comic shops has prompted many readers to embark on the adventure of Guts (or as it is known on the Italian pages, Gatsu), and even for new readers and fans of Berserk it would be somehow a must to know the anime that created such a huge fanbase. What you will find below is a summary of the plot that – if you have never heard of Berserk – you can also decide to skip if you do not want to ruin absolutely anything of the plot.
Even mother will show you another way
The very first animated series based on the masterpiece of Kentaro Miura starts with a pilot episode, the only one set in the “present” that shows us the “Knight of darkness” Guts venture into the town of Koca in search of the man who governs it. Saving a little girl from a gang of poor rascals, Guts will flaunt her ruthless violence from the very first moments, brandishing the iconic Dragon Slayer and the dangerous darts in his artificial arm. The same metal arm that hides a deadly cannon, with which he will decree the defeat of the serpent demon that hides behind the remains of the governor.
At the end of the events of this first episode we will take a step back several years and the flashback that will occupy the remaining twenty-four episodes of the anime will begin, the one defined as “the golden age”Of Berserk, the years of Team of Hawks – or, as called in the Italian dub, theArmy of the Hawks – army commanded by the able and charming General Griffith.
Thanks to his fighting skills, a young man Guts catches the Hawk’s attentionand to prove their superiority the future Black Warrior will end up challenging him to a duel. With the defeat of him, however, he will swear allegiance to Griffith and to his army, serving there and climbing the ranks to become its spearhead. Within the Army of the Hawks, despite him, Guts will eventually bond with his new companions: Judeau, Pipin, Corkus, Rickelt and especially Caska, with which he will eventually establish a deep bond of rivalry and love. Over the years, the Falcons earn the respect of the whole Midland and are deployed in very important battles for the fate of the kingdom. Griffith is increasingly fascinated by power and his encounter with supernatural forces will eventually change his destiny and that of his men.. What the events of Guts and Griffith narrated in this flashback will lead to we will find out only in the last three episodes, in a climax capable of upsetting and thrilling the spectators, who unfortunately will remain dry-mouthed for many years to come, until the creation of a new one. (and unfortunately very bad) animated transposition made in 2016 by Liden Filmswhich narrated the events set after the Golden Age Arc – again animated in the film trilogy previously published by Yamato in collaboration with Koch Media, and which from this October will be transposed into a television series called “Memorial Edition”Which will also be made available for us Italians on Crunchyroll.
There is an end but it’s endless
Printed in only 1500 numbered copies, the box set by Berserk license plate Yamato Video encloses within it three Blu-ray discs with the entire television series consisting of 25 episodes. To embellish the packaging inside the sleeve we find the original illustrations made by Shichirō Kobayashithe same ones also present in the anime and above all in the opening and closing themes (how can we forget the splendid portraits of “Waiting so Long”?). The sensei Kobayashi, who passed away this August 25, was also the art director of “The Castle of Cagliostro”the famous feature film by Lupine The Third directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
The 40 page booklet accompanying the series is printed in color on glossy paper, inside we find very short synopsis of the episodes, as well as the profiles of the characters accompanied by artwork and preparatory drawings, divided into members of theArmy of the Hawks and of Hand of God. To separate the cards, the chronology of historical events in the world of Berserk covered by the animated transposition, from the founding of the Kingdom of Midland to the Eclipse. At the end, some other illustrations of the art director Kobayashi accompanied by some sketches made with the technique of inchiaroscuro. I must say that I appreciated the way in which the box was made, but I certainly would not have disdained some exclusive content such as interviews and insights that would have further embellished the booklet – maybe even a sticker of the Guts brand. You can buy it on Amazon by following this link.
- The booklet is a great added value
- Good audio and video quality
- The new previews of the episodes
- An old and somewhat incomplete Italian adaptation
- It still remains an anime from 25 years ago
Berserk (1997) – Blu-ray Box
The irresistible charm of Berserk and 90s anime
The Blu-ray box set from the TV series of Berserk dated 1997 is an unmissable product in the collection of all those who love the work born from the mind of Kentaro Miura, although it is not recognized by fans as the best version of the story of the Hawk Squad. Those who were fascinated by the series during its first television broadcast in Italy will be overwhelmed by memories, while the younger ones fascinated by the look of 90s anime will find it a product certainly dated, but of undeniable value. We recommend purchasing the box of Yamato Video to fans for the care with which the product was packaged, although it is undeniable that it could have further enhanced its value with additional content.
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